New England Christmas {recap}

We enjoyed a quiet weekend at home for Christmas.  I have been behind on my decorating, but thought I'd share some photos of our place looking festive!  We also made a delicious, non-traditional Christmas dinner that turned out so well, I had to share the recipe.  If you like curry, it's must-try since it will also allow you to use your slow cooker ((one of my favorite kitchen appliances))...and it got me thinking, we should always use a slow cooker on Christmas!  It just makes life easier.

our mantle

candle light 

dinner for two ((recipe below))

Curried Chicken Stew over brown rice
((recipe adapted from Better Homes & Gardens December 2011))
ingredients
-5 bone-in chicken thighs
-2 tsp olive oil
-6 carrots, cut into 2 inch chunks
-1 medium sweet onion, cut into wedges
-5 small white potatoes, cut into fourths
-1 13.5oz. can unsweetened coconut milk
-1/4 cup curry powder ((or less depending on how spicy you like it))
-chopped cilantro & golden raisins to garnish

directions
-trim excess fat from chicken and cook in 12-inch skillet, skin-side down in hot olive oil for 8 min.  ((or until browned))
-remove from heat & drain to discard fat
-in 4 quart ((or larger)) slow cooker, combine carrots, potato and onion.
-whisk half can of coconut milk and curry powder, pour over carrots, potatoes and onion ((refrigerate remaining coconut milk))
-place chicken, skin side up on top of veggies, cover and cook on low for 7 hours
-remove chicken, skim off fat and stir in remaining coconut milk, allowing it to warm 20 min. or so.
-cook rice ((if desired))
-serve over cooked rice or with bread/naan and garnish with cilantro and raisins ((as desired))

eat, drink & be merry...

What did you eat for Christmas?